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College Majors For Career Flexibility

When choosing a college degree, students need to think about the big picture. Where will you be in ten years? Twenty years? Many degrees will lock you into one role at one industry for a long-term position, but others provide you with more career options. Having flexibility can be an excellent asset in a turbulent job market. Nobody truly knows where the economy will end up in the future; we can only predict it. It’s a good idea to choose a college major that provides interchangeability. Having the educational credentials to choose from a variety of jobs almost guarantees your safety from the grasps of unemployment. Check out the following list for the best college degrees for maintaining career flexibility.

1.) English

Having an English degree can lead to a wide variety of careers. If unemployment strikes, there will be alternatives. English majors typically end up with careers in teaching or Journalism, but the possibilities are endless. They work in business, marketing, communication, advertising, or even in a freelance capacity. Companies value a worker’s ability to produce high quality content. The average salary for English majors is $55,000 per year, which is excellent for a liberal arts degree. If you enjoy reading and writing, then maybe a collegiate background in English and Literature is right for you. Any related language majors, such as Spanish, French, Mandarin, etc. can lead to a similar set of job prospects. Studying the languages is a beneficial option.

2.) Economics

An economics degree is a great alternative to a business degree, and it can offer a greater variety of career options. It can align you for a position at virtually any company that is concerned with financial modeling or predictions. The government also hires economists for a variety of jobs. Economics is also an excellent place to start if you are considering a master’s degree in Business. Good economists are always in high demand. The average mid-career salary for these graduates is $90,000 per year. Many economists make six-figures or more depending on the company and their overall qualifications. The sky is the limit. Most colleges require an entry-level course in economics as a general education requirement, so if you are considering attending or currently attending college you will certainly have a taste of what economics has to offer.

3.) Business

This degree is similar to economics, but the curriculum is usually more focused on management, leadership, and business theory / history. Business majors can work in almost any industry, and the entry-level career opportunities are always there. The starting salary is similar to economics at about $50,000 per year, but the mid-career salary averages in six-figures. A business degree prepares students for a position in senior management later in their careers, which will pay six-figures or more at most companies. If you ever lose your job for circumstances which are out of your control, having this degree will help you to rapidly land a new career. Being jobless with a business degree is a rare occurrence.

4.) Computer Science

Computer Science majors specialize in all aspects of computers, including iOS and Windows, software development, hardware engineering, web design, network security, IT management, technical support, and graphics design. It’s an excellent major that pays well, but requires an interest in computers. Computer science work will involve being sedentary for the majority of the work week, which can take its toll after a while. However, the positives of pursuing a career in computer sciences definitely outweigh the negatives. It’s a broad major that will allow you to land a wide variety of computer-related positions. The average salary for computer science majors is $89,000 per year. If you are interested in technology and how computers work then this degree is for you. Just make sure you tune up your mathematics knowledge because it will be an area you will focus on at the collegiate level. Understanding how algorithms work requires a specialization in mathematics, and a lot of people do not realize this when they are choosing the major.